Racism In The Age Of Obama

***Updated to include links to the interview audio****

I tried to ignore the birthers, as I figured they were just the fringe of the right wing crazies. But they're being seemingly legitimized by CNN and Lou Dobbs.

I tried to just laugh at the antics of Sarah Palin, as I figured she'd be a lingering joke, and nothing more.

I really thought that when we elected President Obama, we were ushering in a new beginning of peace, love and happiness and, perhaps, we'd see a return --40 years later-- of the summer of love.

Boy was I wrong!

Tonight on Air America radio, we'll be talking about racism, because it's rearing it head, uglier than I can remember seeing it in my almost 50 years on the planet.

At 11pm ET, we'll start the show with a conversation with Tim Wise, who is recognized as one of the most prominent anti-racist writers and activists in the U.S. His fourth, and most recent book, Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama was published in January, just around the time our first African-American President took the oath of office. ***Hear our conversation by clicking here***

At midnight, I'll be joined by Mark Karlin, editor and publisher of BuzzFlash.com, one of my favorite news sites on the web. In addition to talking about the top stories of the day, we'll talk about his editorial today "Let's Get to the Heart of the Matter: Racism." ***Hear our interview here****

Mark posted a link to a letter sent to Congressman David Scott of GA, the same Congressman whose office door was adorned with a swastika last night. This letter was sent by one John R. Meyers of Grand Rapids, MI and, according to the page where the letter is posted, it was accompanied by a swastika.
The letter so enraged me that, when I noticed a phone number at the bottom of the letter, I decided to call the guy. He gave me permission to record our phone call to play back on my show. I won't play the whole thing because it's not worth the airtime. You'll get the gist after a few minutes, but I will post the whole thing tomorrow. ***If you can stand to listen to it, click here for the entire call***

I also have a couple of interviews that I taped earlier today that, if I don't get to tonight, I will play back tomorrow or Thursday... with NY Congressman Eric Massa, talking about the town hall meetings he's held over the past week, and with Dr. Margaret Flowers of Physicians for a National Health Plan.

Listen live by clicking here, call in at 866-303-2270, and join us in the chat room here!